Architecture & Adversity (Potion Voyages #8)

In the world of magic oceans, the many suns shine down upon glimmering towers of crystal, cruel oppression of laborers and endless quests for power. The brilliant architect, Fantine, skillfully sculpts the gemstones that control the constructor and then directs that wondrous machine to bend myriad rays of light, thereby assembling cities in mere minutes. Her unmatched talent and total devotion to her craft serve to enrich the already wealthy central bank with each new project they finance. Fantine's innovative work inspires admiration, envy, hope, distrust, ambition and even love, despite her unloving personality. In the poorest regions of the world, farmers and miners struggle to meet the overwhelming demands of robber barons, who tax, torture and even murder the hard working serfs. These ignoble lords do not hesitate to use and abuse magic in order to amass large fortunes, seek exotic pleasures or pursue forbidden knowledge. The worst of them all is Duke Jovan, who desires only to exact revenge against the peasants he now rules and savagely eliminate anyone he distrusts. Seeing a moment of opportunity to demonstrate their faith in the infernal powers, two rival sun worshipping cults each make preparations to give the ultimate praise to the stars. Using trickery and enchantments without remorse, they organize sacrificial rituals to honor the blazing fires above. Across the globe, under the cover of both darkness and false light, daring escapes are planned, ancient secrets are pursued and cunning warriors are trained for impending battles. Suddenly and inexplicably, ocean journeys have become more perilous as ships vanish and mysterious auroras appear, confounding travelers when they attempt to navigate the waters. These are the first signs that the most sinister adversary of all is covertly manipulating the very fabric of the land, sea and sky.